Monday, May 31, 2010

My spring reading challenge was wildly successful and out of the modest list of 4 I read for that event, only one was not to my liking, however I am not sorry I read it.

And I even have a new one to add to my 'favorites' list. Water for Elephants was phenomenal!

So now it's time for the Summer Reading Challenge

Yipppppeeee! May be it goes back to my youthful summer-time library visits, but I love summer reading!

I'm having a hard time choosing my list!!

But here goes:

Will Grayson Will Garyson - John Green & David Levithan
This is a YA book. John is one of my favorite authors, YA or otherwise! My daughter loved this book. I'm anxious to get started.

I'm reading a book right now that I"ll put on my book list in the side bar but don't really want to count it for the challenge. First because I'm already reading it and second because I don't like it. And I can't believe I"m saying this because it's my favorite author -Stephen King. But not this book. Not this book at all and not because it's scary, but because it's a cop out. New setting, same psychological trauma as two other books combined with new protagonist.

Ok I digress.

The Sweetness at the bottom of the pie - Alan Bradley
This will be a new author to me. I understand it's a series. I hope I like it!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Our Library Book Club read this and I didn't get to read it then so looking forward to it now.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami

Tomorrow, When the War Began - John Marsden
Heard this is a series too. And Another YA

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

But I just finished my Spring Reading Thing with Water for Elephants and I have to say

I love this book.
It was unique - the setting, the characters, the history, even the romance
It was compelling - the writing was tight and flowed and flowered with out either getting in the way of the reading
And it was sad, and heartbreaking and depressing but I loved it!!

A must read? Maybe not for everyone its no beach reader. It makes you feel. It deals with the nature of people and their inherent reactions to joy, tragedy, and life. And people being people, they aren't always great.

Still you root for the good guys and boo the bad guys and the end rolls around and you are not sorry you did. nor do you care about the sleep you missed finishing it!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

I'm not very good with outdoor things, like plants or lawns. I never really learned it. Mostly because I don't stay out that long before a bug or a bee or a spider comes creeping along and chases me back inside.

But I"m trying ;)

This year I decided to try it again. Everyone else had such lovely flowers around their homes and it makes it all look so cozy. So on a whim I went to the flower shop.

And brought home some unfortunate adoptees. Bet they feel like they got the worst new parent every! ;)

I love geraniums and think they look so full and rich. And I decided on traditional red. I wanted some dusty miller to put with this but they were all sold out.

The bare spot there next to my hostas were boxwoods that died a couple winters ago that I had pulled out. I'm going to get some transplant variegated hostas to put on either side of my solid green. There's a large picture window above there it will highlight nicely I hope.

I miss placed my other planter, so I opted for a hanging basket. I sure hope it's big enough. Another red Geranium and some of the trailing vinca.

Continuing the red and white theme... there had been a lily plant here, she's a yellow lilly but the growth was looking too wispy there in this small corner planter. So I moved her to another corner. The funny thing about that is...well I did that 2 years ago. I moved her. She moved herself back. Now I'm sure it was just some part of the root I missed that took and regrew...but I"m telling ya! It didn't just die where I had transplanted it, it disappeared! And as it did, it appeared growing in the triangle!

I have the hedgehog on the lookout for it now.

And I love petunias! I hope they bring hummingbirds this year.

Here's a look down the rest of the bed. It didn't turn out quite how I'd envisioned. But I absolutely Love IT
Oldest Angel and Youngest Angel wanted on the bandwagon too. So they each got to pick out something to plant.

Oldest Angel chose this perinial lilly. Of course it's orange. We didn't know they came in pink ;) She wanted orange anyway. Lillies are her favorite! How can ya say no to a favorite!

Youngest Angel chose this...and I didn't even know what it was. But I love the dainty flowers and the color...oh yeah... it doesnt fit in my red and white scheme either. Oh well ;) I think I remember it says its a Silene Rolly's Favorite. I like them, they remind me of dainty floral patterned cloth. Color scheme color smeme ;)

And the salsa fixins - green peppers - bell

Tomatos - need to go back and get 2 more cages. Which is being very optimistic that they will live!

And throughout the whole planting project, my overseer. Juliette, she's dainty and must like the flowers! Actually with that look I'm thinking she's liking anything that brings the birds and the bunnies closer! Good thing she never goes outside!

I'll keep you posted on how it goes. The weeds will get brave enough to make a return soon I"m sure and I have had in the past a terrible fight with crab grass getting into these beds.

As I write this I noticed that the OA's Lilly is in bloom but it's a very foggie morning here and I don't think I could get a very good picture. Maybe after bit.

Wish the orphans luck and any tips are always appreciated!

Linking to Outdoor Wednesday this week! Woohoo! Out doors is getting so much more fun with this summer-ish weather!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

I put it off as long as I could. Oldest Angel turned 16 in February and since winter isn't a great time to get one, I put off letting her get her drivers license until this past Friday.

Then came the next hurdle...

Actually letting her leave without me.

And yes, she thinks I'm crazy for taking this picture

Can you see that look? That look says "really? really mom?" as I proudly watch her reach for her seatbelt.

And look over her shoulder to back out.

Then... she was gone...

And I worried...but low and behold!!!!

She made it back safe and sound!!! My car did too, but that's just a bonus! She's what I was concerned about! ;)

How many sleepless nights await? I'm sure it will be more than she will ever ever know and only years from now understand.

As the apron strings begin to unravel and the people I grew start to venture out, I can only pray I gave them what they need and I swear, if they are successful, effective people...mostly it is not because of me but despite me.

As a single mom I'm entitled to double worry and luckily double love!

I'm adding this to A Southern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday Event. It was very very eventful in my book :)

About Me

I love to read, I love to write, I adore books and have way WAY too many of them. I've raised 2 grown girls who also love to read. I'm single and looking but looking specifically!! Besides, my cats don't care how long I read at night!